A/N: Hiiii so updating this story because I'm so excited about Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Metroid Prime 4 coming out soonish. Anyone want to petition to make Rundas a playable character or at least a spirit in SSBU? Or heck lets petition for him to come back to life in Prime 4… oh how I miss a character who was given so few lines but made such an impact. Anyway I hope you enjoy! And I will now be switching viewpoints.

Rundas P.O.V.

"I still can't believe you went on the mission without me!" whined a distressed Ghor as they exited Samus's room to make their way to breakfast the next day. Samus's room had become the unofficial official base for their anti-Sylux operation. So much for looking forward to alone time….

"Well we technically were with you," said Rundas."And I still don't trust that leech."

"Rundas STOP calling her that!" exclaimed Samus. "She is a girl who got herself into a scary situation. She is doing everything she can to appease Sylux, and with an ego like his I think she is on the right track with how exactly to do so." The trio had been up pretty late the night before getting Ghor filled in on everything that transpired.

"I'm only going to give her a chance because I trust you and your judgment, but I still don't like including her."

"I think she was being genuine," added Ghor. "As much as she hung around that crew when I was being tormented last year she never joined in unless it was a comment to stroke Sylux's ego. I definitely saw pity in her eyes.

"I appreciate both of you supporting my judgment," Samus nodded with a genuine smile.

Rundas was grinning as well, under his visor and all. "Has anyone ever told you that have a beautiful smile Space Princess? Not that we get to see it often since you're always so forlorn and reserved." Samus's face returned to it's neutral norm and she looked down.

Ghor immediately jumped to the defense of his friend. "Rundas… with your back-handed compliments its not a wonder that Gandrayda turned you down."

"Right... I'm sorry Sam. I can never be serious without interjecting a bit of my jack-ass humor." And he was genuinely sorry. Rundas had never been the best at the making lasting friendships thing. Ever since the accident that changed his entire world at the mines, he had put up walls the size of the ones the Phygrisians commonly worked in. He hoped that one day he and Samus could truly bond over their sad childhoods, but today they had other priorities.

"It's fine, Rundas. Let's just forget about it." Samus looked so sad. He hated that he had contributed a little to the dark cloud that surrounded the bounty huntress, even though it was obvious that she was trying not to show it.

They arrived to breakfast and sat at their usual table. Sylux and co. could be heard snickering and boasting from all the way across the cafeteria. Gandraya seemed unaffected by last nights encounter as she leaned into Sylux with what Rundas now knew to be false adoration in her eyes. I don't know whether it's her acting skills or his blinding ego that allows her to get away with secretly loathing him.

"Attention all potentials!" came the loud and ever perky voice of Admiral Dillon through a loudspeaker. Everyone directed their gaze to the front of the cafeteria, where Dillon stood next to a young, well-built man. "This is Admiral Dane. This is his first week of being an admiral in the Galactic Federation, and he has been appointed to be in charge of the next portion of your schooling. That's RIGHT! The time you have all been waiting for … IT'S TIME FOR..."

"Missions," Dane gruffly stated as he took the megaphone from Dillon (who gave him an annoyed huff, visibly irritated that his theatrics were interrupted.)

"Heck yeah!" Rundas nudged Samus excitedly. "The fun finally begins. No more flamboyant admiral bootcamp and book club. Though I feel for you Ghor. I know books are your thing."

"I did like the book part, books can't destroy your entire human body." Yikes.

"As much as I sympathize with your tragedy Ghor, I am ready for a change of pace." said a Samus, giving his mechanical arm a pat.

Dane went on to explain how missions would work. At the beginning of the week, every potential bounty hunter would be assigned a mission. The missions would start generic and uniform for every potential, but as time went on they would become personalized to the potentials strengths or weaknesses and either be team based or individual. After the individual challenges, a final mission will commence involving all the bounty hunters racing to a destination through solving clues, forming alliances, and battling both foes and fellow classmates. The first eight potential bounty hunters to make it to the destination will enter a tournament, that will be explained later. Those eight would be considered for graduation to an official federation-recognized bounty hunter depending on their performance in the tournament and individual challenges.

"And the longer a hunter has been in the program, the more likely they will be promoted IF they show significant improvement in their skills and overall ability as a hunter in to be an asset to the Galactic Federation. So you first-timers really have to dazzle us whether you make it to the tournament final or not." You bet Samus and I will do just that! And Ghor has been here long enough that they just have to promote him!

After Admiral Dane finished explaining missions, he told them that their first one would occur tomorrow at 6am sharp, and to get a good night's sleep.

"So Ghor, have you ever made it to the final eight?" asked Samus, whose dark cloud seemed to be gone due to the excitement of the announcement.

"No... the accident happened before the final mission my first year. And the next two years I didn't make it far due to figuring out how to be a functioning being again."

Samus rested her arm on Ghor's again, a gesture she had been doing frequently to the poor robot. It seemed to comfort him, in Rundas's eyes at least. She really is something special.

"This year is going to be your year. I will look out for you during the final mission and you have had three years to prepare for the individual challenges. I know Rundas will look out for you too."

Rundas nodded in reply. "I will, Boltz. You helped me with my federation history homework so I kind of owe you anyway."

"Thank you... thank you both. I have a good feeling that this will be our year."

xxxxx

Samus P.O.V.

Samus stood up after volunteering put away everyone's breakfast tray, energized about missions starting. Immediately she was bumped by Dray. "GET OUT OF MY WAY!" she shrieked, loud enough for Sylux to hear, and then shoved Samus, slipping something in her hand as she fell to the floor. Samus, intelligent enough to play along, gave her a glare and calmly stood up as Sylux's table burst into hysterics. Turning towards Samus and hiding her face from the distracted group of jerks, Gandrayda rolled her eyes and gave her a wink, and then pranced back over to Sylux.

"What the hell was that all about?" asked Rundas.

"She gave me a note. It says to meet her at Sylux's vault at midnight because he would be fast asleep to be best prepared for missions. She will be on guard duty."

"That jerk! Making his girlfriend stay up the night before such an important day. Hey wait... we will be losing sleep as well meeting her at this time. Are you sure she's not trying to sabotage us?"

"I trust my instincts with her, Rundas. I know she's on our side."

Rundas scoffed. "You seem to have a thing for the damaged. I hope it isn't clouding your judgement, Princess," he sneered.

"Runda I am tired of you insulting me! You told me you trusted me earlier this morning. If you're gonna contradict your own word, then maybe I shouldn't trust you. And there is nothing weak or clouding about seeing a person's true situations." Why was Rundas giving her such a hard time today? And why did she care enough the let it bother her? Let him continue to hurt and anger her, she didn't want friends anyway.

"I... wow I'm sorry Samus. I just don't want you to get hurt."

"I can look out for myself, I don't need you to protect me from being hurt. I don't need anyone. I've spent my whole life looking out for myself and I will continue to do so. I'm going to go to my room and calm my mind for missions tomorrow, and you better not bother me. I will be meeting Gandrayda at midnight, and I will see you there if you can decide you actually trust me, Rundas. Ghor, I hope to see you then as well and you're welcome to visit me today if you really need me. I will be eating lunch and dinner alone in my room."

Without waiting for a reply, Samus left for her room, before her hurt and betrayal could overcome the tough act she put on.